5 Ways to Protect Your Children from Swimming Pool Dangers

Thirty years ago, children of all ages were left to their own devices at a swimming pool, while parents attended other matters.

The thinking was that a pool ensures that your children stay in one general area and can keep raucous children preoccupied for hours. However, with accidental drownings as one of the leading causes of child deaths, parents should be aware of swimming pool dangers and know these five ways to protect your children.

Supervise Your Kids. Don't watch the game while there are children in the pool. Keep a watchful eye or make sure there is some adult who is overseeing the children.

Install a Fence. You can't stand guard over your pool at every hour of the day. But you can install a fence and locked gate. Only let kids in the pool when your schedule allows. Your kids can survive a day indoors.

Have an Anti-Entrapment Drain Cover. You hear more stories of children being injured by the suction coming from pool drains. A drain cover is not that expensive and can save you a world of headaches.

Give Your Kids Swimming Lessons. You'd probably be reported to CPS if you tried the sink-or-swim method to teach your kids how to swim. Invest in some lessons, and your kids may develop a new hobby.

Keep the Pool Clean. Children do dirty stuff in pools. Keep the pool clean, but go easy on the chlorine. Too little chlorine can make your pool dirty, but too much may make your pool toxic.

Keep these five tips to reduce swimming pool dangers in mind. Pool injuries can be tragic and can lead to substantial legal liability.